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Sharks In Running For A Top Award

28 June 2014 07:00am

By PRL

Premiership Rugby announced that Bristol Rugby, Sale Sharks and Saracens have been shortlisted for the BreakThru Award supported by TNT Express at the prestigious All Party Parliamentary Rugby Union Group Premiership Rugby Community Awards.

The BreakThru Award supported by TNT Express is an honour granted to clubs who use rugby to develop change in local communities through health, educational and social outcomes. This year's shortlisted clubs' programmes are:

Bristol Rugby are nominated for The Phoenix Project - Bright Sparks programme, which works with secondary schools to help 'at risk' young people.

Sale Sharks received the nod for their RuFIT programme, which aims to develop the fitness of men between the ages of 30-65.

Saracens are being championed for their Sarries' Skills Club, a programme that provides a positive sporting experience for people at the severe end of the autistic spectrum.

The awards, now in their ninth year, feature four different categories: the Play Award supported by the All Party Parliamentary Rugby Union Group, the BreakThru Award supported by TNT Express, the Community Impact Award supported by Aviva and, new for 2014, the Community Champion Award supported by Land Rover.

The winners will be announced at an award ceremony hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Rugby Union Group in the prestigious Members' Dining Room at the House of Commons on 3 July. The awards will be attended by a number of MPs, commercial partners and Rugby World Cup winner Jason Robinson.

"We are delighted to support the valuable BreakThru initiative which innovatively provides a platform for sports-based social change, education and training as well as healthy lifestyles," said Alistair Cochrane, Managing Director TNT Express Services UK and Ireland.

"TNT already has strong affiliations to rugby clubs and charity projects through our support for Wooden Spoon and it is great to see the many initiatives that help to foster confidence among young people, encouraging them to stay in education, or seek apprenticeships or vocational training.

"There are a great many projects worthy of recognition for helping to change lives for the better and it is heartening to see the rugby community at the forefront of these efforts."

"Clubs are not only coming up with interesting new ideas, but developing sustainable ones too," said BreakThru Award judge, David Rowley, The Supporters Club senior commercial manager.

"We know these programmes will deliver an impact which is set up to last for a very long time."

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Sale boss Steve Diamond believes that some good old-fashioned home comforts can help drive the Sharks to a second successive top-six Premiership finish this season.

As England host the Rugby World Cup, the multi million selling soprano, Laura Wright, who is known to millions as the official anthem singer of the England Rugby Team will be getting behind all things rugby this February, continuing her support for the RFU's All Schools rugby campaign.